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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Tack Discussion > Imus Comfort Training™ Bit > Bit selection for direct reining |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Tack Discussion > Imus Comfort Training™ Bit > Bit selection for direct reining |
| Moderated by: Brenda Im |
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| Bit selection for direct reining | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tue Jan 10th, 2012 06:06 pm |
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1st Post |
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miz16 G.O.G Community Member 
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I'm new on here but excited to learn. I have an 18 yr old TWH gelding. He came to me with a Tom Thumb. I switched him to a full cheek snaffle because I direct rein and I wanted a bit that allowed me to control him more laterally. He has done fairly well in the full cheek snaffle. Lately I have been considering a bit that would allow me to get him in a "better frame" for gaiting. Do you think the Imus Comfort Training Bit would be a good choice for us? Can I direct rein with it? Last edited on Tue Jan 10th, 2012 06:07 pm by miz16 |
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| Posted: Tue Jan 10th, 2012 06:13 pm |
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2nd Post |
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whattarack Pasture Boss 
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If your horse has already been in a curb bit (tom thumb), the ICB (the shanked bit) is great for direct reining! Just remember to give slack on the opposite rein as you take in on the other or the horse will recieve conflicting signals. I used it for years with a horse that didn't neck rein and I recommend it very very highly for finishing your horse.
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
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| Posted: Tue Jan 10th, 2012 06:19 pm |
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3rd Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member 
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I agree with Whattarack... I just loaned out my IMUS comfort training bit to someone that rides her QH in a snaffle, but is having a little trouble with the broken center cracking on the horse's tongue, similar to a tom thumb without a center roller. The barrel shape design on the IMUS comfort training bit worked well on our horses and we graduated our TWH to the IMUS comfort bit (shank, same style). Love these bits!!
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| Posted: Tue Jan 10th, 2012 07:37 pm |
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4th Post |
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miz16 G.O.G Community Member
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Thanks guys! I figured not everyone that used it only neck reined!
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| Posted: Tue Jan 10th, 2012 10:57 pm |
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5th Post |
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karenlexsc G.O.G Community Member 
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The Imus Comfort Gait bits are THE best on the market for gaited horses! Our SSH's don't neck rein and we adore these bits. We ride Western and English, but never change their bits. Our horses love them.
____________________ Karen No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill |
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| Posted: Wed Jan 11th, 2012 05:49 am |
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6th Post |
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slipslider G.O.G Community Member 
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You can't go wrong with the Imus bit. You and your horse will love it. I agree that you can probably skip the training bit and go with the curb bit as your horse is older and already use to a shank bit. You will probably like that one the best. I have both and love them both. Also want to say hi and welcome!
____________________ LaVonne Summertime Stables, LLC |
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| Posted: Wed Jan 11th, 2012 11:47 am |
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7th Post |
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miz16 G.O.G Community Member
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Thanks again for the feedback. Since my horse came to me using a Tom Thumb and he’s 18 yrs old I am thinking of going right to the Comfort Bit rather than the training bit. The current headstall I use does not have a noseband but I can put it back on if needed. Does this matter?
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| Posted: Wed Jan 11th, 2012 12:04 pm |
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8th Post |
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whattarack Pasture Boss
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No. A noseband is not required to use with the ICB. I do recommend that you use the transitioning tips found on the board when you get the bit so you and your horse can learn to use the progression signals together and neither of you are confused. The bit makes sense to the horse and the rider. It helps you convey simple commands with ease so you don't just put it in his mouth and start yanking him around like it seems you do with other bits. That's not what the bit is about. Its a great tool to help you and your horse communicate. You'll see. 
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
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| Posted: Wed Jan 11th, 2012 12:07 pm |
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9th Post |
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slipslider G.O.G Community Member
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No it does not. The nose band is for looks. The only ones that serves any real purpose are the dropped nose bands. But the majority of horses do not need these. They are used to help keep a horse's mouth closed. Which is usually caused by a bit issue in the fist place.
____________________ LaVonne Summertime Stables, LLC |
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| Posted: Wed Jan 11th, 2012 06:28 pm |
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10th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member 
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I will add too that you can use the side d rings in the beginning for direct reining as he gets used to the new mouthpiece, then drop down to the shanks when he's ready. Because of the center swivel, you can always direct rein as needed when the reins are attatched to the shanks. Skip the training bit and get the Comfort Gait bit. If you have not already, check out the free video clips on the homepage from Brenda's Gaits From God video series. There is great info there on how the bit works and why. I've seen some amazing changes in some horses and moderate changes in others. It depends on the temperment of the horse and style of previous bit. Getting out of the broken mouth curb bit is a really good thing, Kudos to you!!
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| Posted: Fri Feb 3rd, 2012 12:34 am |
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11th Post |
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beatrix G.O.G Community Member 
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I do recommend that you use the transitioning tips found on the board when you get the bit so you and your horse can learn to use the progression signals together and neither of you are confused. I don't see any transition tips and progression signals info on the home board. Are you referring to the bit videos and questions that take place in the woods with Brenda?
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| Posted: Fri Feb 3rd, 2012 03:43 am |
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12th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member
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Go to the topic Imus Comfort Gait Bit. The first thread at the top has two pages dealing with transitioning your horse to the bit, it was started by Brenda in 2009.
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| Posted: Fri Feb 3rd, 2012 11:20 am |
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13th Post |
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whattarack Pasture Boss
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The ICB is progressive by design. The signals the horse receives as you take the reins are: When you take on the reins, the horse receives request at the poll which is a request to lower the head With a little more take on the reins, the horse receives request at the chin via curb chain which is a request to tuck the chin And then, a little more take on the reins the horse is in ready to respond the your requests: such as turn The 3 progressive steps are: Lower, tuck, and take When the horse is transitioned properly to (leverage) the curb position, the response will be easy, gentle and quite humane. Tip: If direct reining with the ICB, be SURE to give slack on one rein as you take on the other when requesting a turn.
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 7th, 2012 03:45 pm |
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14th Post |
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beatrix G.O.G Community Member
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thanks Lakota.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 7th, 2012 03:52 pm |
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15th Post |
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miz16 G.O.G Community Member
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My horse neck reins as well as direct reins so I've decided when using the Imus bit I will only neck rein and stick to my snaffle bit for direct reining.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 7th, 2012 07:19 pm |
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16th Post |
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whattarack Pasture Boss
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That sounds fine but if you want to, for convenience sake, do try direct reining with the Imus. I'm pretty sure you'll be quite impressed. 
____________________ Being Offended is Optional. |
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